Amethyst has long been used as gemstones and ornamental stones. Jewelry designers and makers from all around the world have selected amethyst for making jewelry pieces like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bangles and many other pieces of beautiful and affordable fashion jewelry. The hardness of this gemstone is seven according Mohs scale and is suitable for making jewelry. The term Amethyst originated from the Greek word 'Amethuskein' or 'Amesthystos' and the meaning of these words are 'sober' or 'not intoxicated'.

Amethyst is a mineral gemstone and transparent macro crystalline quartz. The color of the gemstone is due to the manganese impurities and the color intensity of this gemstone is controlled by the iron content. This gemstone can be found in various shades of purple ranging from pale lavender to deep purples. Purple color is the identity of amethyst and even more expensive purple colored gemstones are compared with the color and beauty. Pale lavender colored amethyst is the least expensive one and the dark violet shaded amethyst is the most expensive. The dark violet amethyst will show flashes of red under incandescent light. This stone is found as long prismatic crystals with six sided pyramid at both end. The popularity of the amethyst is in its color and the crystal shapes which form a purple, sparkling cluster. The texture and character formation of Amethyst differs from region to region and mine to mine i.e. experts can identify the locality of a particular amethyst as they are unique in each region. The uniqueness of amethyst in different localities depends on its color intensity, crystal shape, associations, inclusions and the character of formation.

Amethyst is found mostly in Canada, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Africa. South American amethyst is large in size and has a better color saturation than the African amethyst. The famous pale colored Rose-de-France is coming from Brazil. Amethyst plays a major role in the economy of various states in Brazil and Uruguay. Madagascar is the third major amethyst export country. In its pure form is colorless and is found in abundance. If amethyst is heated, then the color is removed or changes in to yellow of citrine. Many of the commercial citrine is made by heating amethyst. There are bicolor stones also in amethyst like the stones recently found in the form of causticised crystal nuggets in Bolivia. This variety is called as ametrine because in certain energy states, the iron content introduces violet areas to the yellow citrine.

Amethyst is a birthstone for the people born in the month of February and is the gemstone of the fourth and sixth wedding anniversaries. It symbolizes wisdom and spirituality. The mystical abilities and power of healing of this gemstone is widely known. It is believed to have the power to prevent intoxication. Some of these stones are pale colored which gives a feeling of colorlessness in daylight. Amethyst can lose their color due to rough use and so it should no be worn while sunbathing, in a discotheque with black light and in a solarium. These stones may also get damaged due to sudden changes in temperature.

Dale Arnold

Your one-stop shop for pretty, affordable silver pendants.

Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today's fashion conscious public. You know how beautiful sterling silver jewelry is and how brilliantly it shines. Now here is the rest of the story.

Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnished and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was "in"; we are going through such a vogue today.

Silver is the most common of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.

The current fashion trend toward black clothing has made silver jewelry more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today's fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.

Care and Cleaning of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keeping your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver.

2.) For a slightly more "in-depth" cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner.

3.) For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here's a neat little trick

a.) Cover the inside bottom of a heat-proof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.

b.) Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil.

c.) Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil.

d.) Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

Here are Some Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) Are your silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here's a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.

2.) Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your jewelry.

We hope you have enjoyed this special report. Please feel free to share it with your friends!

Learn How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. This informative Special Report reveals little-known facts and insider trade secrets that many jewelers would prefer you didn’t know. To get your FREE copy please go to http://www.morninglightjewelry.com